Road-finishing machine



July 10, 1928.

Filed se t. 25.' 1922A 4 Sheets-Sheet TToRA/E Yo July l0, 1928. 1,676,548

c. A. GUsTAFsoN ROAD FINISHING MACHINE' Filed sept. 25. 1922 4 sheets-sheet 5 v [N VEN TOR 07m. /Z 6U@ FJo/v W/mbf AVTToR/vfrs July 1o, 192s.v

c. A. GusTAl-TsoN ROAD FINISHING MACHINE AFiled sept. 25. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet fr@ A I N VEN TOR C57BL 60a TH/-s o/v fwf, @l WM TToR/w-:rs

'Patentes .my 1o, 192.

PATENT OFFICE.

CARI. A. GUSTAFSON, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOB '.lO RUSSELL GBADEB MANUFACTURING COMPANY,'OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A COR'PORA'JEION 0l' MINNESOTA.

ROAD-FINISHING MACHINE.

Application led September 25, 1922. Serial No. 590,408'.

This invention relates to new anduseful improvements in machines designed particu larly for use in smoothing and finishing road surfaces, and has as a specific object to provide a machine of the class described having an adjustable blade comprising a plurality of sections, and capable of being adapted to the contour of any road surface.

At present machines for this purpose are provided with either a single one-piece blade or with.y two shorter blades. `In the latter case the blades maybe adjusted independently of each other and this, to a certain degree, may be adapted to conform tothe contour of the road surface, when it is desired to cover the entire width of the road. The two bladed machines, however, do not form a natural or practical contour as the two only, leaving a ridge or peak in the center of the road which often renders the road more.

or less dangerous to traliic, especially in wet weather when the road surface often becomes slippery.

By the use of the novel sectional blade shown in this invention the contour of the road will be formed to present substantially a rounded surface, thus finishingy the road with `a natural and practical contour, `and also eliminating the dangerof vehicles sliding off the center of the road into the ditch, should the road surface be slippery.

Other objects ofthe invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within thescop'e of the claims, which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view in side eleration, of a road finishing machine embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan View o'f the apparatus l and showing in a general way the means provided for adjusting the position of the blade;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view Showing the blade in a straight or horizonof the blade; blades plane each side of the road surface Figure 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of the blade, showing how the end sections may he adjusted with reference to the center secion;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view of one of the pivotal connections between the center and end sections of the blade;

Figure 7 is a plan view of one end of the blade supporting frame showing the means provided for adjustment to the end sections Figure 8 is a view in side elev-ation of Flgure 7, showing how the blade may be adjusted to provide either a cutting or scraplng action on the road surface;

Figurel 9 is a sectional view on line 9 9 of F1gure 8, showingthe means provided for ralsing and lowering the outer end of the end sections.`

VFigure 10 is a detail sectional View on the linelO-lO of Figure 8, showing the meansv provided for forwardly and rearwardly adjusting the lend sections upon the blade supporting frame and with ter blade section.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated a road finishing machine comprising the usual sidef beams 12, fifth wheel 13, front and rear axles 13a and 13", and carrying wheels 14 and 15. A suitable platform 16 is mounted at the rear end of the machine to provide a convenient place for the operator to stand on to 'make the necessary blade adjustments while the machine is movin along the road. This platform is prefera ly supported by a frame 17 secured to the sidebeams 12 and the rear axle 13b of the machine (Figures 1" and 2).

A hand lever 18 is pivotallyconnected to the frame 17 by a pin 19, and has a latch of usual construction adapted to engage a notched quadrant 21, valso secured to the frame 17. A connecting rod or bar"22 connects the lever 18 with a T-shaped arm 23, loosely mounted upon a shaft 24, rotatably mounted in bearings 25, secured to the side reference to the cenbeams 12. A connecting rod 26 has one end connected to the arm 23 and has a flexible chain 27 connected to its other end which passes over a sheave 28 rotatably mounted in a bracket 29, preferably secured to a cross member 31 riveted to the main frame or side beams 12. The other end of the chain 27 is connected to the forward end of a pair of draw bars 32 fastened together by an off-set plate 33, apertured to receive the usual king-bolt 34. Thus when the hand lever 18 is moved from the position shown in full lines, Figure l, to the dotted line position, same figure, the forward end of the draw bar` frame will be raised, carrying with it the forward end of the blade, hereinafter described, when said blade is at an angle, as shown inFigure 2.

A circufar frame 35, preferably of T-bar construction, is rigidly'seculged to the underside of the rear portions of the draw bars 32, by suitable angle irons 36 riveted thereto, (Figure 1). The function of the circular frame is to provide a substantial and rugged bearing or support for the oscillating blade supporting frame mounted thereon. This frame comprises a pair of bars 37 and 38, preferably of angle bars, arranged in parallel relation and connected together at their outer ends by arcuate cross members 39, preferably of T-bars, riveted thereto (Figure 2) Diagonal braces 41, and cross braces 42, are interposed between the bars 37 and 38, thus forming a very rigid and substantial frame. A curved bar 43 is secured to the upper faces of the bars 37 and 38 and partia ly encircles the circular bar 35, and is adapted to overhang and engage the-outer horizontal flange of said bar, said outer flange providing a suitable track or bearing upon which the blade supporting frame is mounted. An arcuate bar or lsegment 44 preferably of angle bar is provided on the forward side of the frame and has both ends secured to the angle bar 37. Cross braces 45 and 46 also rigidly connect said bar with the curved bar 43.

A blade preferably curved in'a vertical pla'neand comprising a. plurality of sections,

ypreferably three, is provided. As here shown the blade consists of the end sections 47, and a center section 48. These sections are pivotally connected together, preferably by means of a stud bolt 49 secured to the inner end of each-end section 47. The center section is apertured at each end to receive the stud bolts 49, as shown in Figure 6. A coiled compression spring 51 andv a washer l52 are arranged upon the stud, and a nut 53 is'inthreaded engagementthereon, thus holding the two sections resiliently against each other and also providing avery practical universal joint. The blades-sections may also be provided with a removable cutting edge 54, shown in Figures 1 and 8.

Brackets 55 are rigidly secured to the back side of the center blade section 48, by suitable bolts or rivets, and are pivotally connected by pins 56 to forked brackets 57, preferably secured to the inner or forward side of the angle bars 38. Apertures 58 are provided in thebrackets 55, adapted to receive pin 59 to provide means for adjusting the cutting edge of the blade with reference to the road surface to produce either a cutting or; scraping action as desired (Figure 8). .As the two end sections 47 are supported in like manner, I will describe but one side, like lparts being represented by like numerals.

A suitable Iforked bracket 61 is secured to theend section 47 adjacent the outer end,

and is adapted to receive the lower terminal end of an arcuate bar 62, pivotally connected thereto by a suitable pin 63 (Figure 8). Apertures 64 are provided in the bracket 61 and adapted to receive a pin 65l to permit adjusting of the blade, as previously described with reference to the center blade section. A bracket is slidably mounted upon the arcuate cross members 39, and is provided with a slightly inclined bearing seat 67 adapted to slidably receive the bar 62 therein. A rack 68. is secured to the outer face of the bar 62 and adapted to engage a pinion 69, rotatably mounted upon a short shaft 71 fiXedly mounted in the bracket 66. A worm wheel 72, preferably integral with the pinion 69, is adapted to be engaged by a worm 73 rigidly mounted upon a shaft 74 rotatably mounted in the bracket 66. A universal joint 75 connects this shaft with a jointed shaft 76, preferably telescoped to allow for the radial horizontal adjustment of the bracket 66 upon they cross member 39. A similar universal joint connects the shaftl 76 with a shaft 77 rotatably mounted in a bearin 78, preferably secured to the underside o 'the curved bar 43, and a bearing 79, provided in a bracket 81 secured to the angle bar 37, as shown in Figure 2. A bevel pinion 82, is secured to the end of the shaft 77 and adapted to engage a similar pinion 83 se cured to a short shaft mounted in the bracket 81...v A universal joint connects said short shaft with a shaft 84 vextending rearwardly andpassing through an upright bar 85 to provide a bearing `therefor (Figures 1 and 2). A suitable hand Awheel 86 is secured to the rear terminal end of the shaft 84 to provide a convenient means by which the operlll) ator may actuate the above described mechapertures 88 provided in the lower flange 1 of the cross member 39 (Figures 8 and 10). A clrcular cam face 89 is also provided, its function being to cause vthe crank pin 87 to be moved out of engagement with the apertures 88 when said pin is rotated. Thus when it is desired to adjust the end sections, as shown in Figure 5 to scoop or scrape the dirt along the road, the operator will rotate the crank pin 87 one-half revolution, or from the position shown in full lines in Figure 10, to the dotted line position in the saine ligure, thereby disengaging the pin from the apertures 88 and permitting the bracket 66, carrying the outer end of the end blade Section to be moved forwardly or rearwardly to the desired position. The crank pin 87 is then returned to its locking position, thereby securely locking the bracket 66 to the cross member 39.

Means are also provided whereby the blade may be conveniently raised or lowered to suit road conditions and to provide road clearance when moving from place to place over comparatively rough ground, and also whereby the blade may be tilted at an angle, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, when it is desired to clean the usual ditch along the road or to move quantities of dirt from the ditch to the center of the road.

A transverse lifting bar 91, preferably of angle bar, is rigidly secured to the circular frame 35 by means of angle -iron 92 riveted thereto. Connecting bars 93 are pivotally connected to the terminal ends of the bar 91, and have their upper ends connected in a similar manner to a pair of lifting arms 94, preferably integral with the shafts 95, rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 96 and 97,

secured to the mainframe of the apparatus. A pair of worm wheels and pinionsof usual construction connect these shafts with a air of hand wheels 98, rotatably mounte in suitable bearings securedA to the main frame, by means of which the blade may be raised or lowered at will by simple rotation of the hand wheels. Either end of the blade may also be raised or lowered independently of the other by rotation of one' wheel only, as shown in Figure 3.

A pair of lift arms 99 and 101 are rigidly mounted upon the shaft 24 and chains 102 connect these arms with the lift bar 91.

l 104 pivotally connected t ereto, the lower ends of said springs being connected to the stationary frame 17. The function of these springs is to offset the weight of the blade and its supporting means, thus making it easy for the operator to make quick up and down adjustments of the blade as the machine moves along the road surface.

Means are also provided vwhereby the angle of the blade may be changed with reference to the longitudinal center line of the machine, as shown in Figure'2, the angle of the blade being reversible to allow operating on either side of the road as desired. A

hand wheel 105 is provided Within convenient reach of the operators platform 16 (Fig ure 2) and is connected by means of a shaft 106 and universal coupling to a worm pinion 107, adapted to engage a worm gear 108 secured to a shaft 109, rotatably mounted in a bracket 111. A small sprocket Wheel 112 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 109 and adapted to receive aA flexible chain 113 which has its ends secured to the terminal ends of the curved bar 44, secured to the blade supporting frame. One end of this chain is provided with a take-up adjustment 114 to take up slack in the chain caused by Wear, etc., whereby the blade may be firmly held in any position. A steering rod 115 and hand Wheel 116 are provided to guide the forward end of the machine on the road when drawn by a. gas tractor, or engine, and

as the steering mechanism may be of any.

well known type and construction, I have thought it unnecessary to show same in detail.

This novel apparatus is, therefore, adapted to practically all kinds of road work.-

The machine is designed particularly for finishing roads, and may be used where the surface of the road is Hat and level or inclined in either, direction or where the center of the road is higher or crowned as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

The blade may be adjusted so as to stand vertically as indicated by full lines in Figure 8, or to tip forward as illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 8. The sections of the blade may be arranged all in line with one another, as indicated in Figure 5 Where the center section and the right hand section are shown in full lines, and the left hand section is shown in dotted lines; or either end section may be adjusted forward of the center section, as vindicated by dotted lines at the right and full lines at the left in Figure 5. The bottoms ofthe sections may be all on the same level as indicated by full lines in Figure 3 or one or both of the end sections may be dropped downward asindicated by full lines in Figure 4.

Either end of the bar 91 supporting the circular frame may be raised or lowered independently of the other or both ends of this bar may be raised or lowered simultaneously. This adjustment may be made by the operator standing on the platform 16 by means of the adjusting Vwheels 98. The forward end of the draw bar frame may be raised or lowered by an operator standing on the platform by means of the-hand lever 18, or the circle carrying the blade supporting frame may be turned on the circular frame 35 by an operator standing on the platform and operating the hand wheel 105.

tlm

The outer ends of the endv sections of the la@ blade may be raised or lowered by means of the operating shafts 84 and hand wheels 86, and the outer ends of the end sections may be moved forward manually moving the brackets 66 along the hars 39 and said brackets when placed in the desired position may be locked therein by the adjusting pin 87, and as described the blade vsections may be adjusted so as to occupy either the vertical or the inclined position shown by full and dotted lines in Figure 8.

All of the adjustments except the horizontal adjustment of the outer ends of the blades and the tilting of the blades may be accomplished by the operator standing on the platform 16 while the machine is in motion.

It will be understood that the details of the construction may be modified in many particulars without departing from my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a road grader, a blade comprising a central section, and a pair of end sections, the contiguous ends of said sections being connected by spring-controlled connecting means, and means for adjusting horizontally and at times vertically, the outer end of each end section.

2. In a road grader, a blade comprising a central section, and a plurality of end sections, spring-controlled pivots connecting the contiguous ends of said sections and permitting the outer ends of said end sectlons to be adjusted horizontally and at times vertically.

3. A road grader blade comprising a central section and a plurality of end sections,

spring-controlled'pivots passing transversely through and connecting the contiguous ends vof said sections 1 and Apermitting the outer ends of said end sections to be moved horizontally and at times vertically with respect to said central section.

4.' In a road grader, the combination with a supporting frame provided with an operators platform, of a draw-bar frame, a scraper blade comprising a central section and a pair of end sections, means securing said central sections to said draw-bar frame, means comprising transversely arranged pivot pins connecting the inner ends of `the end sections to the ends of said central sections and having springs thereon for yieldingly holding said ends together, and means operable from said platform for vertically adjusting the outer en d of either of said end sections.

5. In a road grading machine, a supporting frame, a scraper blade comprising a middle section connected with said frame, and blade sections connected with said middle section, and means mounted on said frame for oscillating said end sections f vertically with respect to said middle secbada.

7. In a road grading machine, a bladesupporting frame, a scraper blade comprising a middle section connected with said frame, and end sections pivotally connected with said middle section, brackets mounted on said frame, rack bars connected with said end sections, pinions mounted in said brackets and engaging said rack bars, and mechanism for operatlng said pinions to raise and at times lower said end blade sections.

8. In a road grading machine, a frame, a scraper blade comprising a middle section supported by said frame, end sections pivotally connected with said middle section, bars mounted in said frame and pivotally connected with said end blade sectlons, and having means for tilting said blade sections thereon to vary their angle to the work, and means for raising and lowering said end blade sections with respect to said middle section.

9. In a road grading machine,'ablade-sup porting frame having curved end members, a scraper blade comprisingamiddle section connected with said frame, and end sections pivotally connected with saidl middle section, and means mounted on said curved end backwardly with respect to said middle sec.

tion.

10. In a road grading machine, the combination with a frame having end members, ofa scraper blade comprising a middle sectionsupported by saidframe, and end sections pivotally connected with said middle section, brackets mounted to. slide on said end members, means for locking said brackets in their adjusted position, and means connectin said brackets with said end blade sections or adjusting them forwardly and at times backwardly with respect to said middle section.

11. In a road grading machine, a frame mounted to oscillate on a vertical axis, a scraper blade supported by said frame, an end section forming a longitudinal continuation of said blade, a bar connected with said endsection, means for moving said bar inthe direction of its length to raise and lower said section, said bar being mounted for horizontal adjustment to move said blade section forwardly and .backwardly.

12. In a road grading-machine, a frame mounted to oscillate on a vertical axis, a scraper blade supported by said frame, an end section lforming a longitudinal continuation of said blade, a bar connected with said end section, means for moving said bar in the direction of its length to raise and lower said section, said bar being mounted for horizontal adjustment to move said blade section forwardly and backwardly, and said blade section being adapted to tilt on said 10 bar to vary its working angle to the ground line.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand this 23rd day of September, 1922.

CARL A. GUSTAFSON. 

